Hi, going to Vancouver British Columbia end of Aug. 2017. Traveling to Vancouver Island. Was told we must see Tofino, but then learned its 5 hours from Victoria. If we took the ferry to Nanaimo, would it be reasonable to rent a car drive to Tofino for a night then drive to Victoria for to nights? We only have 3 nights total for Vancouver Island. All the advice is certainly appreciated...

I'd advise against that - all that gives time for is the drive to and from, with no chance to actually spend in Tofino. Instead, you could possibly do 2 nights in Tofino, 1 night in Victoria.

IS Tofino the place to go? Expedia wont give money back on hotel in Victoria, but we are willing to let it go and stay 3 nights in Tofino.. Is that right?

I'd say Vancouver island is the place to go and then you have options. In your situation I'd probably stick with Victoria and rent a car to drive up past Sooke to China Beach. Perhaps do the 45 minute hike to Mystic Beach. Which is exactly what we are doing the last week of August.

I'd advise you to listen to xcountry -- IME, that's someone who really knows what it's like up there! JMO....

I would wonder if you will even get a hotel in Tofino or Ucluelet at this point, so stick with the south end. As said above, lots to do there.

With 3 nights total, I would visit either Tofino or Victoria but not try to fit in both.